Kia Sorento Complaints
10,397 consumer complaints on file.
- #11183184February 28, 2019ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING NOISE OCCURRED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON'S MID RIVERS KIA (LOCATED AT 4955 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, ST PETERS, MO 63376, (636) 206-4284) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE ENGINE CONSUMED OIL, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,276. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS UNTIL THE ENGINE SEIZED. *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11183281February 28, 2019AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I HAVE BEEN A KIA CUSTOMER FOR OVER 7 YEARS AND ARE ON OUR THIRD VEHICLE FROM THEM. TRADED MY KIA FORTE FOR 2011 SORENTO IN 2016. IT HAS HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IT COST $1,200 TO FIX IT. RECENTLY ON JAN 25TH MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND ALSO RUINED THE ENGINE. NOW TOLD THAT I NEED NEW ENGINE FOR $5.100. I HAVE LEARNED OF MANY RECALLS ON SORENTO ENGINE MOTOR BUT STARTING FOR THE YEAR 2012.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11183089February 28, 2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENT CONTROL FUNCTIONS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN NEEDING TO USE THE HEATER. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AS THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A PASSERBY ON THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER (BEV SMITH KIA, 5655 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, 1-(772) 465-8589) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE DEALER TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE IF THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182712February 27, 2019STEERING
PURCHASED NEW IN 2018, THE 2017 SORENTO AWD VEHICLES STEERING FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR WAS FINE. AFTER ROUGHLY 1000 MILES, THE STEERING HANGS AS I'M DRIVING INTO A 12:00 POSITION. AS SPEEDS INCREASE ON HIGHWAY, THE LEVEL OF EFFORT TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL PAST THIS LOCKING POSITION INCREASES SOMEWHAT. ALSO AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS THE CAR WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE. UNDERSTANDABLY GROOVED CONCRETE PAVEMENT CAN CAN THIS TO SOME DEGREE BUT THE SORENTO DOES IT EVEN ON FLAT SMOOTH, BRAND NEW BLACKTOP ROADS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS YOU HAVE TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL STRONGLY IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ROAD AND THEN IT UNLOCKS SO TO SPEAK AND OVER STEERS THE CAR IN THE INTENDED DIRECTION. I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING TO TRY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. 1). TURNED OFF STEERING WHEEL CENTERING FUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE SOFTWARE. 2). UNDER INFLATED THE TIRES APPROX 5 LBS. 3). OVER INFLATED THE TIRES BY 2-3 POUNDS. 4). CHANGED STEERING WHEEL TILT ANGLE. I AM VERY AFRAID OF THIS VEHICLE NOW. PARTICULARLY WHEN MY GRANDKIDS ARE IN IT. WE BOUGHT THIS 3RD ROW SEATED CAR FOR THEM. WHEN MY WIFE IS DRIVING THE CAR ALONE I'M PARTICULARLY CONCERNED SHE MAY HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT! THIS AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE MODEL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE A HUGE LOSS SELLING THE CAR BECAUSE THIS INFORMATION IS WIDELY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE INTERNET AND NO ONE IS LIKELY TO BUY IT ANYWAY. PLEASE, HELP US ON THIS ISSUE. I LOVE THE CAR IN GENERAL BUT I'VE OWNED OLD JUNKERS THAT STEERED BETTER AND THIS START AT ONLY 1000 MILES. IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT THERE WILL BE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO POST OUR CONVERENS HERE
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182870February 27, 2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN NOVEMBER OF 2018 MY KEY FOB STOPPED WORKING EFFECTIVELY. THE FOB WILL ONLY OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I CONTACTED CRAIN KIA IN FORT SMITH AND SPOKE TO TIM IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO STATED THE PROBLEM COULD BE SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS CHANGING THE BATTERY IN THE FOB. AFTER CHANGING THE BATTERY IN THE FOB, THE FOB STILL WOULD NOT OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR OR THE DOORS IN THE BACK SEAT. I NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WHEN THE DRIVING AND THE LOCKS WOULD CLICK ON AND OFF AS IF I WERE USING THE FOB. EVEN WHEN STATIONARY THE LOCK WOULD DO THIS. ON FEBRUARY 27,2019 MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 7:30 AM AND WAS TOLD THIS WOULD TAKE 2 HOURS. AT 3:00 PM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT CALLED. MY HUSBAND CALLED AND WAS TOLD BY TIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE YET WAS CHARGED $131.70 !!!I FEEL THAT THIS HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE INJUSTICE. SURELY THE MECHANICS KNEW THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED DEFECT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182904February 27, 2019EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT HEADLIGHT CONNECTER MELTED AND SHORTS OUT THE CONNECTION TO THE LIGHT BULB. OVERHEATS REALLY BAD. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182485February 26, 2019STEERING
AT SPEEDS STARTING AT 30 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND THERE IS SOME RESISTANCE IN TRYING TO TURN IT. WITH ENOUGH PRESSURE YOU CAN OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE BUT IN DOING SO YOU TEND TO OVER STEER THE VEHICLE AND HAVE TO CORRECT FOR THAT. THE FASTER THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING THE MORE PRONOUNCED THIS PROBLEM IS. IT IS AS THOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOST ITS FLUIDITY AS IF CAUSED BY VERY LOW TIRE PRESSURE OR A CROSS WIND EVEN THOUGH NEITHER OF THOSE CONDITIONS ARE PRESENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR 2 REASONS. FIRST, IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN ITS LANE. SECOND, IT IS VERY FATIGUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS DEFECT. IN MID DECEMBER OF 2018 I DROVE THE VEHICLE FROM OCONOMOWOC, WI TO DES MOINES, IA AND THE PROBLEM WAS PERSISTENT THE ENTIRE DRIVE AND THEN AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER ON THE RETURN TRIP. AS A RESULT THIS DEFECT DRIVING REQUIRES EXTRA CONCENTRATION AND IS FATIGUING TO SAY THE LEAST. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER OF 2018. BUT THE LONGER DRIVE IN DECEMBER OF 2018 CITED ABOVE CONFIRMED THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE POTENTIAL DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. THE PROBLEMS REMAINS ONGOING AND IS UNAFFECTED BY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THOUGH WIND SEEMS TO EXACERBATE INTENSITY SOMEWHAT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182585February 26, 2019ENGINE
THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 2000 MILES INTO THE LAST OIL CHANGE. THE DEALERSHIP IS STATING THE BEARINGS IN THE ENGINE ARE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182252February 25, 2019AIR BAGS, STEERING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY CHECK ENGINE GOES ON AND OFF WHENEVER. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GROUT IT TO AUTOZONE FOR CHECK AND IT STATED SENSORS. MY SHOP SAYS THEY FIX IT AND IT CONTINUES I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182285February 25, 2019ENGINE
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT BEGAN KNOCKING. IT WAS PULLED OVER ALMOST IMMEDIATELY (WITHIN A MILE). OIL WAS CHECKED AND ALTHOUGH IT HAD REGULAR SERVICE, IT REGISTERED LOW. AFTER ABOUT A HALF A QUART OF OIL WAS ADDED, THE OIL REGISTERED AT PROPER LEVEL. WHEN TRYING TO RE-START THE ENGINE IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND WOULD NEED A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. PRICE QUOTED WAS $15,000! THEY CLAIMED THIS WAS DUE TO THE ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED WITH A SMALLER BLOCK (THEY DON'T MAKE THE 3.5 L ANYMORE) AND THE MODIFICATIONS THAT IT NEEDED. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED, HAD 125,054 MILES ON IT AND HAD NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INITIAL KNOCKING THAT OCCURRED ON THAT DAY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182326February 25, 2019STRUCTURE:BODY
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON FEBRUARY 18, 2019. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITHIN 2 YEARS. I HAVE CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182352February 25, 2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WITH BOB MOORE KIA NORTHWEST (7340 NORTHWEST EXPY, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73132, (405) 720-3800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182175February 24, 2019ENGINE
I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO INCREASE SPEED FROM 45 MPH TO 55 MPH, BUT THE CAR LOST POWER & THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING RAPIDLY. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED, & WENT TOWARD THE CURB, BUT DID NOT WANT TO WAIT FOR TOWING THERE (ISOLATED: RT.183 SCHUYLKILL OUNTY, PA) & FELT SOME POWER ENGAGEMENT, SO PUT ON "EMERGENCY FLASHERS" & CALLED DEALER WHO'D JUST HAD THIS CAR IN < 3 WKS PREVIOUSLY, FOR THE 3RD TIME FOR MY OBJECTION THAT " THIS CAR W/ < 15 K MILES ON IT HESITATES WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS", STARTING 6 WKS P NEW CAR PURCHASE & JAN.26,2019 FOR A "PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT" RECALL. I NEEDED TO DRIVE 10 MILES TO MY DR'S APPT & MY CAR DID LURCH THRU TRAFFIC LIGHT, BUT DID NOT TURN ITSELF OFF. WHEN THE "CODES" WERE READ P FLATBED TOWING TO THE DEALER (SAVAGE KIA), I WAS TOLD THAT KIA HDQTRS WOULD DECIDE B/C SAVAGE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE CODES. SAT. AM, 48 H P MY CAR'S SELF-DESTRUCTION THEY CALLED WANTING TO SEND MY ENGINE TO KIA HDQTRS & PLACE A REBUILT ENGINE (OF INDETERMINATE MILAGE PRIOR TO ITS RETOOLING) IN MY CAR W/< 15 K MI. OF WEAR ON IT. I NOTICED THE ONGOING CLASS ACTION SUIT WRT KIA'S DESIGN FLAW IN SORENTO ENGINES & SEE NO VALUE IN DRIVING THAT MODEL ENGINE THAT THE BOOBS KEPT INSISTING WAS PERFECTLY FINE TIL THE RECALL NOTICE CAME, THEN WHATEVER THEY DID WAS INEFFECTIVE & THE ENGINE'S RUBBLE LESS THAN 250 MILES LATER. I'VE FORBIDDEN THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE APART MY CAR OR ALTER THE CODES WHILE I LEARN MORE FROM INDEPENDENT SOURCES. I WANT A FULL, NOT A PARTIAL REFUND OF ALL MONEY, AS KIA HOLDS THE LIEN ON THIS DEFECTIVE, INADEQUATELY SERVICED ITEM & THEY CAN STUDY IT, BUT NOT @ MY EXPENSE...
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182185February 24, 2019ENGINE
MY DAUGHTER CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL AND INFORMED ME ABOUT A NOISE HER CAR WAS MAKING. WE NOTICED KNOCKING COMING FROM HER ENGINE. A MECHANIC TOLD US IT WAS A BEARING.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182197February 24, 2019STEERING
SAME PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER 2018 AND FEBRUARY 2019 DURING DRIVING ON HIGHWAY A LEAST 80 MPH WHEN I NOTICE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WAS NOT SMOOTH STEERING AS JERK BUMPING NOISE ON MY FEEL HANDS. I TRIED TO CORRECT TO STRAIGHT THE LANE HOWEVER IT KEEP GOING MOVING LITTLE RIGHT AND LEFT DIRECTION. I WAS NERVOUS NOT IMPROPER TO STRAIGHTEN LANE. IT SEEM UNSAFE MANNER IN HIGHWAY !.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182091February 23, 2019EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY COMPLAINT IS THE LOW BEAM ON MY 2015 KIA SORENTO HAS VERY POOR VISIBILITY AND BURNS OUT TOO FREQUENTLY. MY LOCAL KIA DEALER DOESN'T EVEN CARRY THE REPLACEMENT BULB FOR THIS VEHICLE. TOLD ME TO GO BUY IT AT WALMART, WHICH I DID. HOWEVER, ONE BURNED OUT WITHIN 4 MONTHS (I CHANGED BOTH AT THE SAME TIME PER RECOMMENDATION). BOUGHT REPLACEMENT AGAIN (COST $37.00) AND BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO REPLACE THE OTHER ONE BURNED OUT. I THINK THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POOR VISIBILITY (LOW LUMENS) AND FREQUENT BURN OUT. CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE? THANK YOU.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11182156February 23, 2019UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY VIN CANNOT BE FOUND WHEN USING HTE NHTSA RECALL FORM.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11181981February 22, 2019UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY KEY FOB WAS SOUNDING LIKE THE DOORS LOCKED BUT THE CAR HEADLIGHTS DID NOT FLASH OR HORN SOUND TO SIGNAL THE CAR WAS LOCKED/SECURITY FEATURE. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY IN THE FOB, AND LET IT BE AS THAT. TODAY MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE I WAS IN THE REAR SEATS THIS WEEK AND NOTICED THE BACK DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WAS NOT LOCKING. I HAD TROUBLE GETTING OUT TOO. THIS EXPLAINS WHY THE CAR HORN DID NOT BEEP NOR THE HEADLIGHTS FLASH, AS IT WAS NOT A LOCKED CAR, THERE IS A ISSUE AND THE CAR IS NOT SECURE, THAT IS WHY IT DID NOT BEEP. IT WILL SOUND LIKE THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED BUT AT THIS TIME IT IS JUST THIS ONE DOOR THAT WILL NOT LOCK. IT IS NOT UNDER THE KIA WARRANTY NOW AND IT WAS NOTED, PER THIS TECH TODAY, THAT WHEN I FIRST MENTIONED THE KEY OR FOB ISSUE WAS AFTER THE REGULAR WARRANTY TOO. I SEE ONLINE LOTS OF COMSUMER COMMENTS ABOUT KIA DOOR LOCK ISSUES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL. NOW I HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $280.00 FOR THIS ONE DOOR LOCK. AND PRAY THIS TAKES CARE OF IT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11181952February 22, 2019ENGINE
THE ENGINE BECAME SLUGGISH GOING UPHILL, THEN STARTED NAKING NOISES, AND FINALLY STOPPED. IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE MECHANIC TURNED THE ENGINE OVER WITH A WRENCH, BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT. THE TROUBLE HAPPENED ON A SECONDARY ROAD.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11181691February 21, 2019ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR LOST POWER AND CUT OFF, WAS ABLE TO START AGAIN AND GET TO DEALER MAINTAINING SPEED ROUGHLY 45 MPH
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0